recycled PVC cords compose plup pavilion in the chihuahua desert

Taller del Desierto + Nómada Estudio Urbano design PLUP Pavilion

PLUP Pavilion is an installation developed as part of Desert Workshop 2024, an initiative of the Instituto Superior de Arquitectura y Diseño (ISAD), that explores the relationship between design, environment, and public space in arid contexts. Conceived through a collaborative process, the pavilion was designed and built by students under the guidance of ISAD professors and Nómada Estudio Urbano as guest professors. The structure transforms public space into an interactive installation that references water, a vital yet scarce resource in the Chihuahua Desert. The design draws inspiration from the movement of a water droplet, translating its fluidity into an architectural form. The pavilion reinterprets the historic fountains of Parque Lerdo through participatory design methodologies and spatial interventions that emphasize memory, identity, and sustainability.

Since 2012, ISAD’s Desert Workshop has functioned as an experimental platform for architectural exploration, where students design and construct temporary or semi-permanent structures that address urban and social challenges. The 2024 iteration follows a co-design approach rooted in placemaking and tactical urbanism. The process involved collective decision-making, material reuse, and rapid prototyping, reinforcing the adaptability of public spaces. The pavilion’s form consists of vertical strips of handwoven, recycled PVC cord—totaling over three kilometers—suspended from a circular framework. This composition simulates the motion of rainfall, creating an immersive space defined by movement and light permeability. The radial structure reflects the expanding ripples of water, reinforcing the conceptual connection between the built form and its environmental context. Designed for sustainability, the materials used in the installation will be repurposed in future academic projects, integrating a circular lifecycle approach.

all images by Miguel Mendoza unless stated otherwise

PLUP Pavilion’s flowing shapes encourage movement and play

Parque Lerdo holds historical significance as the site of Chihuahua’s first aqueduct and potable water source. PLUP pavilion, designed by the creative team of Nómada Estudio Urbano, reactivates this urban narrative, reinforcing the connection between public space and the essential role of water in shaping the city.

As a visual and spatial reference to water’s presence in an arid environment, the installation highlights its importance in urban life and ecological balance. The design, with its flowing shapes and water-inspired colors, also encourages interaction through movement and play, integrating urban furniture that enhances accessibility and invites engagement, particularly for children. Aligning with sustainable development principles, the pavilion reflects water’s dual significance as both a necessary resource and a shared cultural element. By combining historical context, material innovation, and spatial experimentation, PLUP serves as both an architectural installation and a reflection on the relationship between urban environments and natural resources.

PLUP Pavilion transforms public space into an interactive structure inspired by water

the installation references the movement of a water droplet through its architectural form

the pavilion highlights water as a vital yet scarce resource | image by Federico Campos

vertical strips of handwoven, recycled PVC cord simulate the motion of rainfall | image by Federico Campos

flowing shapes and water-inspired colors encourage movement and interaction | image by Ana Escalante

PLUP functions as both an architectural installation and an urban reflection on water | image by Ana Escalante

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image by Augusto Tarin

axonometric drawing | image by Taller del Desierto

plan and elevation | image by Taller del Desierto

image by Miguel Mendoza

project info:

name: PLUP Pavilion
architect: Instituto Superior de Arquitectura y Diseño (ISAD) + Nómada Estudio Urbano

location: Chihuahua, México

lead designer: Taller del Desierto

professors: Federico Campos, Yael Salazar, Miguel Villalba

guest professors: Miguel Mendoza, Néstor Acosta

students: Emilio Cano, Aneth Navarro, Paulina Negrón, Ale Picazarri, Oscar Rivera, Ali Romero, Aldo Terrazas, Irving Chávez, Luis Chavarín, Cat Bejarano, Bruno Barssé, Mauricio Muñoz, Sara Rodríguez, Mariana Chávez, Gerardo Villamil, Daniel Marín, Diego Córdoba, Daniela Escárcega, Victor Ixtlahuaca, Margarita Márquez, Mauricio Serrano, Guillermo Tarango, Luis David Ortiz

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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom